Julie Mannies ‘86 is more than just a proud Ball State alumna. She truly represents what it means to answer Our Call to Beneficence. Her love for Ball State University and her desire to honor her parents’ legacy inspired her to give back to the university that had given her so much. 

Julie came to Ball State as a junior transfer student and member of the tennis team, but her love for BSU started long before she stepped on the court. Raised in Muncie, she became well-acquainted with notable members of the Ball State community, such as Steve Shondell, Bill Richards, and Virgina and Ed Ball. Her parents were also active members of the Ball State family. Her dad, Morry Mannies, was the “Voice of the Cardinals” for over 50 years. 

“Our lives were entwined with Ball State. All these people I knew, especially Ed and Virginia, were huge influences in my life. They were community- and Ball State-focused. Their whole lives were dedicated to serving others. Watching them had a huge impact on me,” she shared. 

Julie grew up going to football and basketball games, sitting in the media box alongside her family. She also attended Burris Laboratory School, where her mom taught, and whose classroom she sat in during seventh and eighth grade. As a student at Burris, she had access to Ball State’s campus to take advanced, college-level courses. When Julie transferred to Ball State, “it felt like coming home.” 

When doctors diagnosed her with a six-inch blood clot in her arm, the prognosis for returning to the tennis court was not good. Ball State’s commitment to her as a student-athlete did not waver. “Ball State was there for me every step of the way. They prioritized my education over just my athletic abilities and gave me opportunities that many other places would not have,” Julie said. Fortunately, after six months of rehabilitation, her arm’s circulation was restored, and she competed in her senior season of tennis. 

After graduating with degrees in journalism and sociology, Julie held a 32-year career with Kimberly-Clark before retiring in 2004. Throughout her career and retirement, Julie sought to emulate the mentors and people she looked up to at Ball State. “My goal was to do for others what had been so graciously given to me.” This included volunteering, as her mother had done, and mentoring new employees like her professors and coaches had done for her.  

After a 56-year career, her father Morry retired from being the “Voice of the Cardinals,” but no one ever forgot his legacy. Two weeks before he passed away, six former players from Ball State’s men’s basketball team in the 80s called Julie and asked where they could visit him. “Dad loved seeing the players again. He loved talking to them about their current lives and reminiscing on the old days. People still recognized his dedication and loyalty to Ball State, even at 82 years old. These former student-athletes showed him how important he was, which was so good for him to hear. He was the Voice of the Cardinals; you can’t really retire from that. Ball State Athletics really did impact his whole life, just like mine.” 

After both of her parents passed away, Julie realized that she wanted to honor her parents’ legacy in a way that would support the success of future Cardinals. She decided to designate a planned gift to Ball State.

“I wanted to make my parents proud and honor them. Ball State was the obvious catalyst for the success that my family experienced. I want to share that back to Ball State and the students who need assistance.” 

Split between Ball State Athletics and the Department of Communications, Julie’s planned gift will empower the university to support future students and athletes who call the Ball State home. “Ball State is more than just a university. It is the people that were there and that are there now that make it what it is. It’s more than just a place to get a degree, it’s getting to do life with the highest quality of people that will become your family.”